North Korea’s naval modernisation is still in its early stages. North Korea’s 5,000-tonne Choe Hyon-class destroyers, first unveiled in 2024, are the most visible expression of its expanding naval ambitions. Together, however, they reveal a consistent effort to move part of North Korea’s nuclear force to sea. Their significance lies in how they could broaden the survivability, flexibility and potential employment of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. North Korea’s naval buildup remains immature.